Blumhouse Productions, a leading horror studio, is gearing up to celebrate its 15th anniversary with a bang. They're bringing back the 2022 sensation, *M3GAN*, to theaters in a limited engagement ahead of the much-anticipated sequel, *M3GAN 2.0*. This re-release isn't just a simple rerun; it's packed with innovative features that have stirred up quite the controversy due to their encouragement of smartphone use in theaters.
As part of their Halfway to Halloween initiative, Shudder is organizing one-night-only screenings of *M3GAN*, along with *Ma* and *Annabelle*. These screenings will incorporate Meta's "Movie Mate" technology, allowing audience members to engage with *M3GAN* through a chatbot. This feature also includes second screen capabilities that will display exclusive content in real-time, enhancing the viewing experience.
“Movie Mate is exclusively available to moviegoers in the theater and can be activated by direct messaging the Instagram account @M3GAN,” Blumhouse stated, as reported by Variety. The technology is designed to leverage Meta’s capabilities to enhance the 'second screen' experience, building excitement before the release of *M3GAN 2.0* on June 27.
Fans attending these screenings can look forward to sneak peeks, exclusive messages from directors and talent, and surprise appearances in select markets. While this approach aims to enrich the theatrical experience, it raises concerns about further eroding the traditional cinema atmosphere. It's a controversial move that many hope won't become a standard in regular screenings.
The special screenings are scheduled as follows: *M3GAN* on April 30, *Annabelle* on May 7, and *Ma* on May 14, across various theaters nationwide. The sequel, *M3GAN 2.0*, is set to hit U.S. theaters on June 27.
